Chapter 23

Noah stood at the entrance of the audience chamber, received the appointment as Minister of Justice, and after the morning ceremony dispersed, he immediately made his way to the Ministry of Justice.

The building of the Ministry of Justice is on the next street over from the Ministry of Military Affairs.

I had seen this building every morning while helping my older brother Henry.

It seemed that the official appointment had already been communicated. When I got off the carriage and entered the grounds of the Ministry of Justice, dozens of officials were waiting, and they bowed to me in unison.

Only one man, a middle-aged man standing in the center, did not bow. He stepped forward and knelt before me with one knee.

"We have been waiting for you, His Highness Prince Noah."

"Have you heard the story already?"

"Of course, Your Highness."

"Then lead me to my office. Explain... what's your name?"

"My name is Vinnie Ogie. I am the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Justice."

"Number two, huh."

The Deputy Minister is the position right below the Minister, responsible for the practical management of the ministry.

Vinnie looked to be in his early forties.

To hold this position at his age means he's quite a rising star.

Guided by Vinnie, I entered the building of the Ministry of Justice and was led straight to the Minister's office.

The Minister's office of the Ministry of Justice is similar in structure to that of the Ministry of Military Affairs, and I felt at home the moment I entered.

I sat in the Minister's chair and faced Vinnie directly.

"Well, what should I be doing at the Ministry of Justice? A rough overview until the deadline will do."

"Yes. The Ministry of Justice oversees the courts throughout the empire and conducts trials in the capital. As you know, the capital has many nobles, and as in the recent rebellion—"

Vinnie paused and looked at me.

He seems to know about the rebellion in Almeria six years ago, in which I was also involved.

"Rebels and those accused of major crimes like rebellion are usually brought to the capital and judged by the Ministry of Justice or His Majesty himself."

"I see. So this place also handles regular court cases, right?"

"Indeed, Your Highness."

Vinnie bowed politely.

Well, I already knew that.

I have the memories of my previous life, after all.

So, I cut straight to the chase based on those memories.

"Do you also judge cases?"

"Depending on the case."

"How much in bribes do you receive?"

"…Such matters—"

"Enough."

I held out my hand to cut off Vinnie's words.

"I'm not trying to accuse you. I just want to know the reality. I'll forget what I heard here once we leave this room. Be honest."

"…Indeed, Your Highness."

Vinnie bowed deeply and then spoke.

"I don't take much. Perhaps a few hundred Reen per year."

"Hmm."

"I have principles. The lower-level officials take about ten times that."

"Principles?"

"I don't take bribes in murder cases."

"Why not?"

"Because the plaintiffs often resent it, making it easy to be exposed, and it can lead to revenge that can't be undone. I take bribes in cases where the outcome is uncertain and either side could win."

"Hmm."

I took a piece of paper from the Minister's desk and scribbled on it, then threw it to Vinnie.

"This is…"

"Five thousand a year. Stop doing this while I'm here. I want to meet His Majesty's expectations. Help me with this."

"…"

Vinnie's eyes widened in shock, but eventually, he seemed to understand my words.

"Now I understand why His Majesty, who was only six years old, named you 'Wise' and appointed you as Minister of Justice."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, I am impressed by your approach. Indeed, you are worthy of the title."

Vinnie returned the note to me and bowed deeply.

"I don't need extra money, and I won't take bribes anymore. I want to work for you, Your Highness."

He said this.

Under normal circumstances, I would doubt his sincerity.

---

Name: Noah Alarate

Minister of Justice

Gender: Male

Level: 1/∞

HP: F+F Fire F

MP: F+F Water E+S

Strength: F+E Wind F

Stamina: F+F Earth F

Intelligence: F+E Light F

Spirit: F+F Dark F

Speed: F+F

Dexterity: F+F

Luck: F+F

---

The "+" in the MP and Intelligence sections of the status visible in the corner of my vision increased.

This is my unique ability, where the number after the "+" increases as I gain subordinates. At this moment, I knew that Vinnie genuinely wanted to work for me as he declared.

☆

That night, at the Eighth Prince's residence—Oscar's mansion.

After hearing various things at the Ministry of Justice, a messenger from Oscar came, inviting me to a celebration for my appointment as Minister.

There was no reason to refuse, so after listening to the messenger, I came here.

Oscar had set up a banquet in the garden.

The garden was lit with hundreds of lanterns, making it as bright as daytime.

The main table was in the center, and a band was playing a little distance away.

I was the only guest, but Oscar had spared no expense or effort.

"Thank you, Brother. I don't know how to thank you for such a grand celebration."

"I'm happy too. In the fifty years of His Majesty's reign, you are the second prince to become a minister. And it's Noah, so it's even more reason to celebrate… right?"

"Thank you."

We toasted, and the servants of the Eighth Prince's residence began bringing out the dishes.

The dishes were not placed on the table.

About twenty servants each carried a large platter with different dishes and circled around our table.

They kept moving in a circle, a traditional imperial banquet style.

If I liked a dish, I could stop the servant, and they would serve it on a small plate.

Otherwise, they would keep moving, "displaying" the dishes around us.

"Still, it's really a cause for celebration!"

"Is it?"

"Um? What's wrong, Noah? You look troubled. Is something on your mind?"

"I was wondering why His Majesty suddenly appointed ministers one after another."

"That's because… you're His Majesty's favorite, right?"

Oscar said this with a teasing smile.

It's a plausible thought.

Henry was appointed Minister of Military Affairs for quelling the rebellion in my territory, Almeria.

And I was appointed Minister of Justice.

It could be seen as favoritism, but… is that really the case?

"Is there something that's bothering you?"

Oscar put down his drink and looked at me intently.

"Brother, you know that the empire once nearly fell, and after that, the system changed dramatically."

"Yes. Before that, princes did nothing but indulge in luxury and play, except for the Crown Prince, who studied politics to prepare for his reign. Because of this, all the princes except the Crown Prince were incompetent, and the empire nearly fell."

"That's why, in the current empire, when a prince is born, he is made a prince and given a fief to be raised properly."

I said this, and Oscar nodded in agreement.

After reviewing the current state of the empire, I continued.

"What's the point of this?"

"Doesn't the current situation seem like a step further than that?"

"…What!?"

Oscar was shocked, knocked over his chair, and stood up.

The circle of servants with the dishes stopped, and the band's music ceased.

In the silence, Oscar stared at me.

"Replacing the… Crown Prince?"

"I don't know. It might be, or it might not. If His Majesty is just being kind to me, there's no problem."

"…You're right."

Oscar sat back down in the chair a servant had righted and smiled faintly.

"Surely not…"

"Your Highness."

Oscar started to speak, but another servant, dressed as a butler, approached.

After whispering something to Oscar, his expression changed.

After a while, the butler quietly left after finishing his report.

"What's wrong, Brother?"

"You're right. You're amazing, Noah."

"Huh?"

"It's information from a bribed eunuch. It seems I will be appointed Minister of Finance at tomorrow's morning ceremony."

The air was still.

Neither Oscar nor I could speak.

Oscar's appointment as a minister.

This clearly goes beyond just favoring me.

"Anyway,"

"Huh?"

"Let's toast to Noah's celebration and to your insight."

Oscar said this.

I changed my mood and toasted with Oscar.

☆

While Oscar and Noah were having a somewhat subdued celebration,

On the rooftop of the palace, in a garden about twenty meters above the ground.

In the empire's proud aerial garden, two old men were present.

One was the emperor, the highest authority in the empire.

The other was the First Chancellor, who had been the emperor's long-time confidant, managing various state affairs both openly and secretly.

The emperor was looking up at the moon in the aerial garden, while the First Chancellor was reading a report carefully behind him.

"---One hundred and sixty-seven people, including Keats, have been arrested."

"Did they confess?"

"They confessed to forcing His Majesty to abdicate and making the Crown Prince ascend the throne, as we had anticipated."

"I see. Fifty years of reign, forty-five years as Crown Prince—can't wait any longer, can we?"

"Please be cautious. There is no evidence that the Crown Prince was directly involved—none will be found."

Openly and secretly.

The First Chancellor spoke both the truth and the words of a confidant.

"I understand. So I will do nothing to Albert. Keats will be executed, and that will be the end of it."

"…"

The First Chancellor said nothing.

He never said anything unnecessary to the emperor.

Always impartial, never overstepping.

This was the main reason he had served as First Chancellor for over twenty-five years during the emperor's fifty-year reign.

"What about the leak to Oscar?"

"I sent a eunuch who usually receives small amounts of money from His Highness. It seems His Highness was already aware."

"Really?"

"He was with Prince Noah at the time."

"Indeed…"

The emperor's face, which had been gloomy until now, brightened.

"So, Noah was aware of my intentions?"

"Yes, I received a report from a eunuch attached to the Eighth Prince's residence."

"Heh, as expected. Noah is still amazing."

The excited emperor. His face was that of a father doting on his child.

But it was only for a moment.

Without his child in front of him, the emperor quickly returned to his usual, regal demeanor.

"Gilbert is no good, Albert is no good…"

"…"

"Who? Who can succeed me? Henry? Oscar? Noah?"

"…"

"Anyone will do. Show me that you can overcome the trials I give you."

The emperor was lenient as a father.

But he was also a just and strict ruler.